Read Luke 10:30-37.

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Isn’t that just like a lawyer? He knows God commands him to love his neighbor, but he wants to know the precise definition of the word neighbor so he can make sure he’s doing everything required of him to earn eternal life and nothing more. But rather than simply answering the question, Jesus tells a parable—one that illustrates Jesus’ own life and is therefore the perfect model for every disciple of Jesus.

The good Samaritan’s actions illustrate both Jesus’ sacrifice for us at Calvary and how we are to live as His redeemed people. First, the Samaritan stopped. This alone is a remarkable choice because people could be robbed and left for dead on this dangerous road. But the man stopped. Jesus, too, stopped for us. He came to earth to endure the worst this sinful world has to offer. No one took His life; He laid it down of His own accord (see John 10:18).

Second, the Samaritan stooped. It’s one thing to pause and say a kind word; it’s another to stoop down low. As I mentioned, Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with one another. By getting close to this Jewish man and showing concern, the rescuer was opening himself up to shame and scorn from his fellow Samaritans. Likewise, Jesus stooped. He set aside the glories of heaven to endure the cross, where He suffered the shame and scorn our sins deserved.

Third, the Samaritan served. He bandaged the injured man’s wounds, dressed them with oil and wine, and then lifted the man up onto his own donkey so he could get him to an inn. He became the stranger’s servant to help him. In the same way, the Son of Man came not to be served but “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Everything the Samaritan did was to save the man in need. Everything Jesus did was to save desperate sinners—even at the cost of His life.

To be a disciple of Jesus means that we stop when others don’t. It means we stoop low to be with those who are hurting. And it means we serve, loving people like Jesus and sharing the Good News of salvation. In this way, Jesus works through His true disciples to seek and save the lost.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word that shows us how to live according to Your divine ways. Help me to see the needs around me and to have the love and humility to put others before myself as You did. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36).

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